Western Europe Q1 ethylene, propylene production highest in 9 quarters

04-Jul-14

Western European production of ethylene and propylene in Q1 2014 was 4.9 million mt and 3.688 million mt respectively, the highest since Q3 2011, according to data released by Petrochemicals Europe, as reported by Platts. Ethylene production was up by 11% on Q4 2013 and by 4% on Q1 2013. Propylene production was up by 8.5% on Q4 2013 and by 3% on Q1 2013. Butadiene Q1 2014 production was at 530,000 mt, a high since Q1 2012. Butadiene production was up by 10.6% on Q4 2013 and by 4% on Q1 2013. The Petrochemicals Europe Board represents cracker operators in Europe. Hydrocarbons like naphtha and LPGs are feedstocks from steam crackers which produce olefins like ethylene, propylene and butadiene. This mirrors other industry data, out earlier in the week. European chemical production expanded 2.8% year-on-year for the first four months of the year, the European Chemical Industry Council, CEFIC said Monday. "The sector continues to grow, but we are not out of the woods yet. Energy prices continue to put a strain on commodity chemicals, which are more energy-intensive. Our overall health and ability to compete depends on policy that ensures secure and competitively priced energy and feedstock," CEFIC said. European chemicals output is expected to expand by 2% in 2014, driven by rising demand in the automotive and construction industries according to CEFIC. This compares with a modest fall in output in 2013 "as the industry wrestled with the second slowdown of Europe's double-dip recession." CEFIC said Europe's production remained 20% below its 2008 peak.